Comprehensive Guide for Trekkers, Climbers & Researchers
Mount Kenya offers one of the most diverse accommodation networks of any African mountain — from forest cabins and alpine huts to open-air camps perched beneath glaciers.
Each hut or camp serves a distinct purpose: rest and acclimatization, base operations for summit attempts, or refuge for researchers and porters. Most are operated by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) or affiliated mountaineering organizations.
Below is a complete expert guide to the key accommodation points along the main trekking and climbing routes.
🧭 1. Old Moses Camp (Judmaier Camp)
Route: Sirimon Route
Coordinates: 0°02′ N, 37°04′ E
Elevation: 3,300 m (10,827 ft)
Overview
Old Moses, also known as Judmaier Camp, is the first acclimatization stop on the Sirimon Route. It sits above the montane forest and marks the transition to heath and moorland zones.
Facilities
- Stone building with bunk rooms (capacity ~60)
- Kitchen and dining shelter
- Campsite with latrines and water supply nearby
- Solar lighting and ranger presence
Trekking Details
- ~9 km hike from Sirimon Gate (2,650 m), taking 2–3 hours.
- Ideal for first overnight acclimatization.
- Offers clear views of the Liki and Mackinder valleys.
Notes
Named after Felix Judmaier, an Austrian mountaineer who helped establish early routes on Mount Kenya.
🏔️ 2. Shipton’s Camp
Route: Sirimon Route
Coordinates: 0°00′ N, 37°17′ E
Elevation: 4,200 m (13,780 ft)
Overview
Shipton’s Camp is the primary base camp for climbers ascending Point Lenana or attempting technical ascents of Batian and Nelion via the north face.
Facilities
- Stone huts with dormitories (capacity ~60)
- Campsite area with flat tent pitches
- Dining shelter, kitchen area, and pit latrines
- Water from nearby streams (must be purified)
Highlights
- Located directly beneath the Batian–Nelion spires — one of Africa’s most iconic alpine panoramas.
- Excellent site for photography and acclimatization hikes to Hausberg Col or Oblong Tarn.
Notes
Named after Eric Shipton, a pioneering British mountaineer and explorer who surveyed and climbed in Kenya in the 1920s–30s.
🏞️ 3. Mackinder’s Camp
Route: Naro Moru Route
Coordinates: 0°09′ S, 37°18′ E
Elevation: 4,200 m (13,780 ft)
Overview
Mackinder’s Camp sits in the Teleki Valley, serving as the main base camp for climbers approaching from the southwest.
Facilities
- Stone hut with dormitories and a small dining area
- Adjacent campsite with pit latrines and water from a stream
- Spectacular views of Batian and Lewis Glacier
Access
- ~8–9 hours from Met Station or 2–3 days from the park gate.
Historical Note
Named after Sir Halford Mackinder, who made the first recorded ascent of Mount Kenya in 1899.
Conservation Tip
The Teleki Valley is fragile — trekkers are urged to stay on marked trails to prevent erosion.
🏕️ 4. Mintos Hut (Hall Tarns Camp)
Route: Chogoria Route
Coordinates: 0°09′ S, 37°26′ E
Elevation: 4,200 m (13,780 ft)
Overview
The Mintos Camp, often referred to as Hall Tarns Camp, is the main high camp on the Chogoria Route. It overlooks Lake Michaelson and the Gorges Valley, offering some of the most stunning views on the mountain.
Facilities
- Simple hut (wood and corrugated iron) for cooking/shelter
- Large campsite with soft ground for tents
- Nearby stream for water (treat before drinking)
Highlights
- Excellent sunrise and sunset vantage point.
- Gateway for summit attempts via Point Lenana.
- Surrounded by unique afro-alpine flora, including giant lobelias.
💧 5. Lake Ellis Camp
Route: Chogoria Route
Coordinates: 0°13′ S, 37°28′ E
Elevation: 3,400 m (11,155 ft)
Overview
A peaceful alpine campsite located on the shores of Lake Ellis, making it an ideal first-night stop for trekkers ascending via Chogoria.
Facilities
- No permanent structures (wild camping only)
- Freshwater lake (purify before use)
- Wide grassy area suitable for large groups
- Pit latrine sometimes available (seasonal)
Highlights
- Superb photo opportunities with Mugi Hill in the background.
- Birdlife includes mountain ducks and sunbirds.
- Excellent acclimatization altitude.
🏡 6. Meru Mount Kenya Bandas
Route: Chogoria Route (near Chogoria Gate)
Coordinates: 0°17′ S, 37°32′ E
Elevation: 3,000 m (9,842 ft)
Overview
The Meru Mount Kenya Bandas are comfortable log cabins managed by KWS. They serve as the gateway accommodation for climbers entering or exiting via Chogoria Gate.
Facilities
- Self-contained wooden bandas with showers, beds, and cooking areas
- Ranger post and water supply on site
- Ideal for pre- or post-trek overnight stays
Highlights
- Beautiful forest setting with colobus monkeys and turacos.
- Access road suitable for 4×4 vehicles.
- Great option for families or research teams.
❄️ 7. Austrian Hut / Top Hut
Route: Naro Moru Route (summit zone)
Coordinates: 0°09′ S, 37°18′ E
Elevation: 4,790 m (15,715 ft)
Overview
The Austrian Hut, also known as Top Hut, is the highest established shelter on Mount Kenya. It serves as the staging point for final summit pushes to Point Lenana, Nelion, or Batian.
Facilities
- Basic stone structure with bunks (4–6 climbers)
- No heating, limited solar lighting
- Glacier meltwater nearby (treat before drinking)
- Often used by scientists monitoring Lewis Glacier
Highlights
- Panoramic view of Lewis Glacier and Teleki Valley.
- Frequent sunrise photography spot for advanced climbers.
🏕️ 8. High Camp (Burguret Route)
Route: Burguret Route (northwest flank)
Coordinates: 0°04′ N, 37°09′ E
Elevation: 3,900 m (12,795 ft)
Overview
High Camp is a remote and lightly used campsite favored by trekkers on the Burguret Route, one of Mount Kenya’s least crowded approaches.
Facilities
- No permanent structures
- Natural water sources (seasonal streams)
- Small, sheltered clearings for tents
Highlights
- Wilderness atmosphere — perfect for solitude and birdwatching.
- Gateway to connect with Shipton’s Camp via alpine traverse.
🌳 9. Meteorological Station (Met Station)
Route: Naro Moru Route
Coordinates: 0°08′ S, 37°11′ E
Elevation: 3,050 m (10,006 ft)
Overview
Known simply as the Met Station, this is the first overnight camp on the Naro Moru Route and a key research outpost for climate and forest studies.
Facilities
- Permanent KWS huts with bunks and ranger offices
- Campsite with water tap and toilets
- Vehicle-accessible via Naro Moru Gate (15 km dirt road)
Highlights
- Surrounded by montane forest and bamboo zones.
- Base for acclimatization walks and school groups.
Importance
Home to a meteorological unit that records weather data vital for regional climate modeling and water resource management.
🏞️ 10. Hall Tarns
Route: Chogoria Route
Coordinates: 0°09′ S, 37°26′ E
Elevation: 4,200 m (13,780 ft)
Overview
Hall Tarns are small glacial ponds above Lake Michaelson, often used interchangeably with Mintos Camp.
Features
- Campsite with breathtaking sunrise and lake reflections
- No permanent shelter; camping only
- Freshwater from small streams nearby
Highlights
- Signature viewpoint for photographers capturing Gorges Valley.
- Excellent spot for acclimatization or rest before summit attempt.
🧪 11. Kami Hut (Research Station)
Route: Near Sirimon–Liki Valley area
Coordinates: 0°00′ N, 37°14′ E
Elevation: ~4,000 m (13,120 ft)
Overview
Kami Hut is a little-used stone shelter originally built for glaciological and botanical research in the mid-20th century.
Facilities
- Basic single-room shelter (rarely maintained)
- Occasionally used by scientists or mountaineers for emergency shelter
- Nearby streams and small tarns for water source
Significance
Kami Hut played a role in early alpine ecology research on plant zonation and glacier monitoring, now a landmark of Mount Kenya’s scientific heritage.
🏕️ 12. Liki North & Liki South Camps
Route: Sirimon Route (upper Mackinder Valley region)
Coordinates: Approx. 0°01′ N, 37°11’–37°12′ E
Elevation: 3,900–4,000 m
Overview
The Liki Camps (North and South) are remote alpine campsites used mainly for acclimatization and off-route exploration.
Facilities
- No permanent structures; natural campsites only
- Seasonal streams for water
- Ideal for scientific field teams or solitude-seeking trekkers
Highlights
- Offer outstanding views of Batian and the western valleys.
- Vegetation dominated by tussock grass and senecio groves.
- Frequent sightings of hyrax and mountain duiker.
📊 Summary Table of Major Huts & Camps
| Camp / Hut | Route | Elevation (m) | Facilities | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Moses (Judmaier) | Sirimon | 3,300 | Bunks, campsite, water | First acclimatization stop |
| Shipton’s Camp | Sirimon | 4,200 | Huts, kitchen, campsite | Main base camp |
| Mackinder’s Camp | Naro Moru | 4,200 | Hut, campsite | Summit base |
| Mintos / Hall Tarns | Chogoria | 4,200 | Hut + camping | Chogoria high camp |
| Lake Ellis Camp | Chogoria | 3,400 | Wild camp | First-night stop |
| Meru Bandas | Chogoria | 3,000 | Bandas, showers, kitchen | Comfortable forest lodging |
| Austrian Hut | Naro Moru | 4,790 | Hut, glacier access | Summit staging |
| High Camp (Burguret) | Burguret | 3,900 | Wild camp | Remote wilderness |
| Met Station | Naro Moru | 3,050 | Hut, campsite, road access | Acclimatization / research |
| Hall Tarns | Chogoria | 4,200 | Wild camp | Scenic viewpoint |
| Kami Hut | Sirimon side | 4,000 | Basic shelter | Research site |
| Liki Camps | Sirimon | 3,900–4,000 | Wild camp | Acclimatization / solitude |
🌿 Conservation & Use Guidelines
All huts and camps lie within Mount Kenya National Park, managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Visitors must observe:
- Advance booking (required for KWS huts like Austrian and Shipton’s).
- No open fires above 3,000 m.
- Leave No Trace waste policy.
- Water purification before drinking.
- Avoid trampling alpine vegetation around campsites.
Scientific groups must obtain research permits through KWS and the National Commission for Science, Technology & Innovation (NACOSTI).
🧭 Final Reflection
Mount Kenya’s huts and camps are more than shelters — they are gateways into an evolving alpine ecosystem. Each one, from Old Moses Camp’s heather meadows to the icy solitude of the Austrian Hut, tells part of the story of exploration, adaptation, and conservation.
For trekkers, they provide comfort and safety; for scientists, they serve as windows into climate change; and for local guides, they are the heart of Kenya’s mountaineering tradition.